Saturday, June 18, 2011

Sorry chaps, Pippa's STILL dating nice guy Alex Loudon

By Katie Nicholl

Loyal: Friends say that Alex Loudon adores Pippa. The pair make a point of seeing each other privately

When Pippa Middleton made a late-night visit to her former flatmate and close friend George Percy last week, it prompted a flurry of speculation that the brunette had split from her long-term boyfriend Alex Loudon.

But far from being over, her romance with Alex, a talented cricketer and financier, is very much on, The Mail on Sunday has been reliably informed.

Speculation over a split reached fever pitch last weekend when Pippa attended a wedding without Alex and was spotted enjoying a dinner with George, her former flatmate at Edinburgh University.

They returned to George’s London house and, after hugging each other goodnight, Pippa was seen leaving shortly after 2am.

Former Etonian Alex, 30, who has not been photographed with Pippa since April’s Royal Wedding, has declined to comment, but a family member said: ‘All the rumours are completely untrue.’

They said the couple, who have been dating for nearly a year, are expected at a family engagement together in a fortnight’s time.

Back on: Pippa and Alex were said to have been going through a rocky patch

Special relationship: Pippa spotted out again with ex-boyfriend George Percy at the French Open

While the rumours have been played down, the pair are understood to have been through a rocky patch in recent weeks.

While Pippa has enjoyed mini-breaks in Madrid and Paris, Alex has been hard at work in London. Pippa also watched the tennis at the Queen’s Club in West London, accompanied by George.

But a university contemporary said: ‘Pippa and George are friends, but that is all. Pippa doesn’t fancy George, she’s very into Alex.

‘Alex is the nicest chap you could meet. He’s incredibly sweet, loyal and adores Pippa, but they make a point of seeing each other very privately and don’t go to flash places.’